Spanish armed forces ordered from Heckler & Koch additional batch of 3,580 G36 assault rifles, of which 1,200 are G36E — standard version for infantry, and 2,380 shortened G36KVE used by marines.
Total order value is €8.66 million, as Infodefensa reports after analyzing procurement documentation. Complex procurement includes full configuration with five magazines and bayonet for G36E. Meaning average cost of one conditional G36 for Spain is €2,400. Delivery timelines are very tight — by December 20, 2026.
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Defense Express notes this is far from first G36 contract from Heckler & Koch for Spanish armed forces. Spaniards place orders even after Bundeswehr began replacing G36 with G95 — HK416 A8, created on AR platform.
Specifically, in 2024-2025 Heckler & Koch received two contracts totaling over €6 million for supplying G36 to Spaniards. Moreover, in Spain there is no discussion of possibly replacing G36, of which over 70,000 units were ordered since 1999.
Because German G36 problems did not spread to G36E, which is partially localized in Spain. Santa Bárbara Sistemas produces approximately 48% of components, additionally certain design changes were introduced.
Recall Bundeswehr G36 service in Afghanistan revealed critical deficiency of sharp accuracy drop, which was initially attempted to hide, but in 2015 officially acknowledged. Through heating of receiver body polymer materials, when temperature increased to 45 degrees, accuracy dropped by 7%.
In practice, after firing just 60 rounds, meaning two magazines, deviation when firing at 200 meters increases by 0.5 meters, while at 500 meters — up to 6 meters.
At same time, in Spain barrel design and its attachment to body, as well as materials used, differ from German original. No evidence or even insiders regarding similar problems in G36E appeared over entire time. At same time, worth adding that at Heckler & Koch or Bundeswehr after G36 scandal they did not attempt to save the rifle itself, agreeing to its replacement.
At same time, despite competition to replace G36 being won in 2020 by small CG Haenel company, Heckler & Koch through court achieved tender result cancellation and crushed competitor, receiving contract for over 118,000 G95 for €209 million.
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